ALS Association

A Plus Insurance: More Than Just Insurance

At A Plus Insurance, it is our purpose to help educate and serve the community, that is why our website is Learnandserve.org. We don’t just sell insurance, we want to educate everyone on the ins and outs of several types of insurance.

We also want to help the community, and while we would rather give back in the shadows, we want our customers to be informed of why we choose these charities. We believe it may raise awareness and inspire others to donate.

Interested in donating yourself to the ALS Association?

Giving Back: One Review at a Time

For each policy we sell at A Plus Insurance, we send out a review link to our customers so that they are able to let us know how we did serving them. The BEST part about this is that every time a customer leaves us a review, a donation is made to the ALS Association, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Als Association

Why We Give to The ALS Association

One of our newer agents, Alexandra, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021. While this was before her time with the company, she brought awareness of the disease to those she works with. This awareness quickly prompted owners Shawn and Amy to donate to a charity who serves the ALS community, and in doing so they hope to inspire others to donate as well.

Donations made by A Plus Insurance go to the ALS Association and more specifically research.

What is ALS?

Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014? That was to bring awareness and help raise money for ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gherig’s Disease, is a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells associated with control of voluntary muscles. It is fatal and currently there is no cure and no definitive explanation for what causes the disease.

What does that mean?

Those with the disease lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. The brain is not affected by the disease, which basically means the people that suffer with ALS become trapped in their bodies while their cognition goes unaffected.

ALS typically affects people between the ages of 40 and 70. There are on average 16,000 Americans with the disease at any time.

ALS not only affects those who suffer from the disease but families, friends, and those close to the diagnosed.

What is the ALS Association?

Founded in 1985, the ALS Association is the only national nonprofit organization providing support and raising awareness for the ALS community.

Mission Statement

To discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.

What does the ALS Association do?

The ALS Association is the leading organization dedicated to finding a cure for this rare and fatal disease. They lead the way in global research, public education and awareness of the disease, and have a nationwide network of chapters that provide services and support for those with ALS. The goal is to find a cure for this fatal disease.

The ALS Association advocates constantly for those with the disease, especially when it comes to promising new treatments.

Currently they are urging the FDA to approve a new drug, known as AMX0035. The drug slows progression which can drastically improve not only the quality of life, but length of life, for someone living with ALS.

Als Association
Blue Cornflowers Are The International Symbol For The Fight Against ALS

A little of Alexandra’s Story…

In 2020, after I had 2 knee surgeries, I became a very active rower. I managed to row my first million meters within 4 months. Shortly after that I started to notice muscle loss and weakness. At first I ignored it. I was afraid I had reinjured my knee and didn’t want another surgery. It didn’t take long for me to realize that it wasn’t another knee issue.

So I went to the doctor and was referred to a specialist, who referred to another, and another. Test after test. Visit after visit. It was getting worse. I eventually was sent to Duke University for more testing. After each test, more things were ruled out. I started to worry. The only options left for whatever was wrong with me were not great at all.

In April of 2021, I got the terrible news. ALS. I’ll never forget that moment. The world stopped, time stood still. For the next several months, I lived in denial. Until a visit at John’s Hopkins. Where it was reconfirmed. It was even worse hearing it the second time.

It changed my entire life. Not just my lifestyle, but my goals, my dreams, everything I knew and considered life. I spent several months unsure of what to do. Eventually I got to the point of acceptance. So I decided to start to applying for some remote jobs. I sent a resume to A Plus Insurance, they were looking for a CSR at the time. I landed an interview with owners Shawn and Amy.

I became a part of the A Plus Team a week later, in May of 2022. I have since found a new sense of purpose and path in life. I thought an opportunity like this wouldn’t happen for me due to the terminal illness diagnosis. At best I thought I would work for a company where I would be just another employee and payroll number. I never imagined finding a job where I could still do the things I enjoy doing, which is helping others and learning.

I have since taken the State exam and became a licensed insurance agent. I love getting to share at the end of every call when I sell a policy that we encourage our customers to leave a review and in return we donate to charity. Maybe that donation made is the one that funds the last bit of research that gives those of us, with this terrible diagnosis, a better future.

The biggest reason why A Plus Insurance donates to charity is to help inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Als Association
Help Us Fight Against ALS

If you are interested in donating to the ALS Association

What services does the ALS Association provide?

The ALS Association offers various services, including patient and community services, support groups, assistive technology, advocacy, and research funding for ALS.

How can I donate to support the ALS Association?

To donate and support the ALS Association, you can visit their official website and contribute online, or with each review A Plus Insurance receives, we will donate to the ALS Association.

Need assistance or information about ALS?

Feel free to call us at 1.888.445.2793 for assistance or information regarding ALS. Our team is here to help you.

Last Updated on by Alexis Karapiperis

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